Using strips of counter top laminate as drawer slides

[Cherryville Chuck]

I've been doing this for decades and it works well on small drawers and not that bad on big ones even. I just cut left over laminate into strips 1/2" to 1" wide and glue one on the bottom of each drawer side and one on either side of the carcass. They slide pretty good as is but a little better if they get waxed with some paraffin. I have just used regular wood glue to glue them in but I prefer using melamine glue. I think it is better suited to the job.

You still see fine furniture with drawers that slide wood on wood. I have an antique sideboard that is circa 1860 built that way and by the time I bought it in the early 70s the drawer runners had worn grooves in the carcass and were dragging when you opened and closed the drawers. I added strips of laminate between them and the problem was solved and it still works well at least 30 years later.

I don't know what the practical lifespan of the laminate strips are in this context but I'm sure I won't live long enough to have to replace any of them. If I did it wouldn't be that big of a deal. I don't think I've worn any of the pattern off yet on the ones I put on the side board and it gets used regularly.

[DaninVan]

Wouldn't there be 'issues' with modifying old and antique furniture re their value?
We have an old buffet, coming up on 100yrs soonish, that I really need to do something about for exactly the reason you mentioned.

[Bushwhacker]

I've been doing this for decades and it works well on small drawers and not that bad on big ones even. I just cut left over laminate into strips 1/2" to 1" wide and glue one on the bottom of each drawer side and one on either side of the carcass. They slide pretty good as is but a little better if they get waxed with some paraffin. I have just used regular wood glue to glue them in but I prefer using melamine glue. I think it is better suited to the job.

You still see fine furniture with drawers that slide wood on wood. I have an antique sideboard that is circa 1860 built that way and by the time I bought it in the early 70s the drawer runners had worn grooves in the carcass and were dragging when you opened and closed the drawers. I added strips of laminate between them and the problem was solved and it still works well at least 30 years later.

I don't know what the practical lifespan of the laminate strips are in this context but I'm sure I won't live long enough to have to replace any of them. If I did it wouldn't be that big of a deal. I don't think I've worn any of the pattern off yet on the ones I put on the side board and it gets used regularly.

A couple of years ago, I built a sewing table for Sandra. I have the drawers riding on wood runners. I checked them recently and they still look like they did when I installed them. But, I would like the desk to survive well after I am gone. I like that idea of the laminate for slides. I'll bet I have a piece on that shelf with my unknown jigs. I'll look into doing that, Thanks.

[Cherryville Chuck]

Wouldn't there be 'issues' with modifying old and antique furniture re their value?
We have an old buffet, coming up on 100yrs soonish, that I really need to do something about for exactly the reason you mentioned.

I suppose it might affect it's value. Kind of like putting modern running gear into an antique car. The truly original version is worth more. But the modified version is more reliable. The only fix that would be more traditional would be to glue thin strips of the same wood onto the bottom of the drawer or into the carcass. Either of those will probably affect the value too but probably not as much as a laminate fix (kind of like grading valuable coins from mint uncirculated to well worn). One thing about the laminate is that it isn't terribly hard to rip the strips off if you needed to.